Parque da Floresta Golf and Leisure Resort

The Parque da Floresta might seem pretty far from Faro but it's only just about an hour using the A22, and the extra distance away from the more touristy eastern Algarve is well worth it if you're looking for a bit of peace and quite amid more traditional Portuguese landscapes. The house we had, a three bed superior, was well kitted out - fully fitted kitchen, two bathrooms and an extra loo, balcony overlooking the golf course and views of the ocean at Salema. Even had an iron and ironing board, hair dryer - and maid service every other day. No need to take towels - for the pool, just take your "parque card" and hand it into the spa reception and they'll give you as many as you need for the day. The parque card is a way of charging meals and drinks and spa services without carrying cash - and each visitor gets one. The pool is great - and another shallower one nearby for the smaller children, but sunbeds do get reserved early (opens at 9am), and we can't blame the Germans as there weren't any! A constant breeze made the high tempertures very tolerable. The Italian restaurant on site wasn't fantastic, but we enjoyed the O Parque restaurant and the Spike Bar - adjacent to the 18th hole, as well as lunch at the Blue Lagoon poolside bar. For a truly fantastic steak, take a 5 min drive to Salema beach and go to O Barco - the best steaks we've ever eaten. We also visited the Blue Wave beach bar at Bergau a couple of times - owned by the Parque da Floresta and well worth the rather rural drive! You do need a car if you intend to go anywhere - but the A22 makes venues like Zoomarine or the water parks less than an hour away and Lagos only 15 mins. All in all, a great relaxing place to stay - highly recommended.

just returned from a week there 7th july 2006. myself, my wife and five year old daughter, the pools were fantastic for kids, and the full size pool which was heated was very large and neither were ever very busy, there was allways sunbeds at the poolside so no need to panic in the early hours either. both the italian restaurant and the o` parque were very good and all the resort staff were brilliant, very helpfull and friendly...just one tip if you don`t like celebs check there isn`t a charity golf event on like we encountered, there are quite a few pro footballers and celebs here with their own villas...a novalty at first until they take over everything..we wern`t aloud in the restuarant one evening as the celebs had a black tie affair in there without warning to guests......other than that a faultless resort..we will be going back.

We can thoroughly recommend Parque da Floresta for a relaxing holiday. The villas are out of this world, as is the resort. There is no need to leave the resort as everything that you could possibly want is there on site--even an Italian take away! However it would be a shame not to see some other parts of the Algarve whilst you are there. Going in October was a dream--the weather was fantastic and the beaches empty. The Portugese people go out of their way to help you and they are very friendly. We are already looking forward to our next visit.

Recently spent 2 weeks there and will definitely go back. We have a 2yr old and the pool for kids is worth the trip, parents can safely sit back and let the little ones plod around at leisure as you are only ever 5 seconds away from them in the 2 1/2 ft at deepest pool. The beach style pool even enables the youngest babies to dip their toes although the adults pool (slighly heated to take the edge off) is one of the best I've seen too. Soft floored kiddie play area, with swings and frames etc, is a plus also and is gated so again parents can relax a bit (not sure that dark green was best colour for it though as it does get quite hot)! The resort is out of the way being as far west as you can go on the Algarve really, this suited us though as it's not as touristy and tacky as some over developed areas. Short drive to Salema provides some off site relief with a lovely kid friendly restaurant perched overlooking the sea (Atlantico Restaurant, Salema Beach). We also found some small coves/bays just a 5 minute drive from the resort that were beautiful and not crowded at all. Parque da Floresta itself is great, lovely gardens and kept immaculately clean, staff more than helpful, Jimmy who runs the Spike Bar and restaurant was great and all the staff are so kid friendly. 3 restaurants and breakfast buffet is all a very good standard & the golf course is stunning and very well tended (if a tad expensive without discounted rates). You have to play it for the 5th hole (short Par3) alone. All in all a great stay that even the 5 days of rain (worst run for 15yrs!) couldn't really tarnish. Reccomended.

We were fortunate to spend two weeks with our children in August 2005 and we all had a fantastic time. Breakfast was first class and more often than not we sat on the terrace overlooking the manicured golf course. Everything was so, so clean and when you are travelling with young children this is paramount. The maid service was the best we have experienced - our villa was so clean and the bed linen and towels were changed each day. You are provided with bathing towels for the beds at the poolside and there is an abundance of sun beds so you dont have to get up at the crack of dawn to reserve one! There is a fierce wind which we have never experienced in Portugal before. A car is essential and we clocked up many miles touring up and down the new road (A22). Restaurants were all first class and really catered for families. We will return in April to this fantastic resort.

Spent family holiday here in June 05. Good accomodation to high standards, good choice of restaurants , sporting facilities, kids pools and playground, Excellent location from which to explore in my opinion the most beautiful area of the algarve which as yet is relatively unspoilt by development. Not suitable location for late night revellers.Car hire is essential.Would highly recommend for family holiday

Absolutely wonderful resort. We visited for a Euro 2004 package and attended the games whilst combining with a family holiday. The childrens facilities and clubs are second to none. The accommodation is excellent and well equipped. This resort is located in the Western Algarve which is so unspoilt and rural, the beaches were lovely as were the staff at the resort. We will definately be back and recommend to any family wanting a luxury holiday to stay here and to book directly with the resort for the best prices.

Spent a week here in June 2004, The Parque is situated in the Hills and therefore benefits from a beautiful sea breeze which is needed to cool you down. The SPA is excellent, golf Course, restaurants and bars likewise. The Staff are courtious and very friendly and made us very welcome. Facilities were second to none and we will be going back.

stayed in a villa (Dreams) here in early october - standards very high - lovely views/pool/facilities - didn't use the golf course but looked of high standard - lovely beaches close by - ate at several excellent restuarants recommended by reception staff who were super - had stayed at quinta de lago the week before and standards etc here were just as good and considerably cheaper - helped that we booked villa direct with owner via web as this was much cheaper than booking via uk agency - all in all to be highly recommended

We spent 2 weeks here in July/ August 2003. The villa we rented was certainly one of the best quality villas we have stayed in.Beautifully equipped and presented. The first 4 days were very,very windy, the area is known for winds - the parque has a wind farm nearby.When it did drop it was great, the golf course is challenging but interesting. The tennis for kids is fun, but having 2 teenagers with us - they found it a bit quiet .The winds returned and it was almost impossible to sit outside! There are numerous restaurants in the area and i can honestly say every meal we had was execellent. There are some lovely unspoilt beaches along this part of the coast. We shall certainly return.